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Court Grants 3M's Motion for Preliminary Injunction

1 March 2000

Court Grants 3M's Motion for Preliminary Injunction Against Orthodontic Products Manufacturer

    ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 29 -- 3M Unitek Corp., together with
its parent company Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. ("3M")
and its affiliated company 3M Innovative Properties Co., announced it has been
granted injunctive relief in its lawsuit against California-based Ormco Corp.
to halt sale of Ormco's "inspire!" ceramic orthodontic brackets until trial.
3M Unitek brought the lawsuit against Ormco in late 1999, charging
infringement of two patents that protect 3M Unitek Clarity brand orthodontic
brackets.
    Among other things, the injunction prevents Ormco from making, using,
importing, selling or offering to sell any bracket that infringes 3M's U.S.
Patent No. 5,439,379, including Ormco's "inspire!" ceramic brackets, and use
the methods claimed in U.S. Patent No. 5,366,372 until the litigation is
concluded.
    In his order granting the preliminary injunction against Ormco, Judge
Richard A. Paez, of the U.S. District Court, Central District of California,
stated that 3M is "likely to succeed on the merits."  Judge Paez further
writes that 3M will "suffer irreparable harm if the court does not grant the
preliminary injunction."  No trial date for this matter has been set.
    "This is important to the people of 3M Unitek," said Patrick B. Ford,
general manager, 3M Unitek.  "We work hard and invest many resources in
research and product development to invent unique orthodontic brackets that
look good and people are comfortable wearing.  That's why our Unitek brand
Clarity brackets are the best-selling ceramic bracket available."
    3M, Unitek and Clarity are trademarks of 3M company.